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Stress Measure

 

Dear Mrs. Figgins:

Last year I lost my beloved husband.  

Several girls in my bridge group are widows and they seem to keep real busy traveling and enjoying their lives. 

I haven’t been able to get on with my life since Danny passed. 

Trying to find my bearings, I’ve been reading quite a bit about loss.   I came across a very interesting article about stressful situations, and wanted to share it with you and your readers.

It’s called the “Social Readjustment Rating Scale”.    Good and bad events in a person’s life increases stress levels and can increase the risk of illness and mental health problems.

To maintain health and regain stability it is critical to adapt to changes.

In the list below, there is a “value” or number right next to the event.  Take the value of the event that has taken place in your life in the last12 months.  If a particular event has happened to you more than once within the last 12 months, multiply the value (the number mentioned above) by the number of times this event has occurred.

Add the values to obtain the total score.

For example, in the last 12 months if you have experienced the death of a spouse (100), plus a change in financial state (38) your total would be 138.

The higher your score, the more effort and diligence the person needs.

Low if your score is Below 149

Mild if your score is Between 150-200

Moderate if your score is Between 200-299

High if your score is Above 300 

1. Death of a spouse 100

2. Divorce 73

3. Marital Separation 65

4. Jail term 63

5. Death of a close family member 63

6. Personal injury or illness 53

7. Marriage 50

8. Fired at work 47

9. Marital reconciliation 45

10. Retirement 45

11. Change in health of family member 44

12. Pregnancy 40

13. Sex difficulties 39

14. Gain of a new family member 39

15. Business readjustments 39

16. Change in financial state 38

17. Death of a close friend 37

18. Change to different line of work 36

19. Change in no. of arguments with spouse 35

20. Mortgage over $ 50,000 31

21. Foreclosure of mortgage 30

22. Change in responsibilities at work 29

23. Son or daughter leaving home 29

24. Trouble with in-laws 29

25. Outstanding Personal achievements 28

26. Spouse begins or stops work 26

27. Begin or end school 26

28. Change in living conditions 25

29. Revision of personal habits 24

30. Trouble with boss 23

31. Change in work hours or conditions 20

32. Change in residence 20

33. Change in school 20

34. Change in recreation 19

35. Change in religious activities 19

36. Change in social activities 18

37. Loan less than 50,000 17

38. Change in sleeping habits 16

39. Change in number of family get- togethers 15

40. Change in eating habits 15

41. Single Person Living Alone 14

42. Vacation 13

43. Holidays 12

44. Minor violation of laws 11

45. Other * 

Marge D. in Iowa

 

Dear Marge:

Thank You for sharing this list of stressful life events.  Many will find the information valuable.

This do-it-yourself stress test was developed by Thomas Holmes and Richard Rahe University of Washington School of Medicine.

Isn’t it curious how far apart the values of trouble with the boss and getting fired are? 

My how things have changed!

Mrs. Figgins

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